Dallas ISD |The first-ever Citizens Budget Review Commission to meet regarding budget Monday | 3/18/11

A 10-member commission has been appointed to review and provide feedback
during the creation of the 2011-12 Dallas ISD budget.

The first-ever Citizens Budget Review Commission, made up of individuals
appointed by the Dallas ISD board of trustees and the superintendent,
...will meet nearly every Monday until its work is completed, with its first
meeting scheduled for Monday, March 21.

"This commission was formed to create a transparent budget process with
citizen participation," said Superintendent of Schools Michael Hinojosa.
"The development of any school year's budget is challenging but this
year's process will be especially complex because of the expected
decrease in revenue from the state. Their assistance will be helpful."

The chairman of the commission, appointed by Dr. Hinojosa, will be former
Dallas ISD parent Philip Montgomery, a Dallas businessman with a long
history of supporting the district. Other commission members, each
appointed by a member of the board, include Jose Hernandez, Jim Kipp,
Michael MacNaughton, Louisa Meyer, Debbie Sherrington, Andrew
Newman, Kenneth E. Walker, Warren Westmoreland and Todd Williams.

"This group of citizens brings a wealth of experience and I am pleased
that they will be able to take a deep dive into the district’s budget,"
said District 9 trustee Bernadette Nutall. "As trustees, we will be very
interested in their work."

"With a budget that could be anywhere from $76 million to $210 million
less than last year's district budget, the commission's work will be
helpful to both the administration and trustees," said District 1 trustee
Edwin Flores." Because of the frequency of their meetings and their
single charge, they will provide a fair and objective perspective from
the community that will create a budget to meet the needs of all students
in the district."

Mr. Montgomery helped lead the 1985 Dallas ISD bond campaign, created and
chaired the first advisory committee for the TAG Magnet and served on the
Dallas Achieves Commission. He also oversaw the creation and growth of
the Texas High School Project, served as a trustee for the
Communities Foundation of Texas, which provided numerous grants to the
district and has been appointed by two governors to serve on the board
for two agencies, the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department and Texas
Turnpike Authority. He currently serves as the Chairman of the Board for
UPLIFT Education.

“It is an honor to be asked to help the district in a very difficult
budget year,” said Montgomery. “I look forward to working with the
commission to keep our efforts focused on student achievement. I
understand and recognize that the superintendent and board will have to
make some tough decisions at the end of the budget process.”

The commission's first meeting is set for 5 p.m. Monday, March 21, in Room 105 of the district's administration building